Vaccine reaction or something else? / Subsequent FeLV diagnosis.

[mgoonie]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum.

On 15th March, my two-year-old cat got the Zoetis Felocell 4 vaccination, his first-ever vaccination as we adopted him from another family. He was fine until a week later on 25th March when he was lethargic, licking/smacking his lips and didn't want to eat much. I brought him to the vet on 26th March (Saturday) and they realized his temperature was 40.5 degrees celsius and his CBC blood test was relatively normal although they suspected inflammation due to his low platelet count. So they thought it might be a vaccine reaction and gave him a steroid shot as well as some prednisolone oral tablets and sent him home. But he didn't seem to improve much in the next three days, fever still hovered around 39.9 and 40.5 degrees.

So I had to bring him back on 29th March (Tuesday) at 5 pm and now the vets think he is not having a vaccine reaction as his fever didn't seem to go down even after steroids. So they started him on antibiotics and IV fluids and warded him. They didn't want to continue the steroids, because they said it doesn't seem to work but I'm worried he might need it since it could be the vaccine reaction. Today morning (30th March) his temperature went to 41.2 degree celsius, which is worrying. They are suggesting doing other tests such as an abdominal ultrasound etc as his liver TBIL values in the blood test were high. I've already spent almost $4000 three to four months ago for his foreign body removal surgery and so far almost $1000 for this fever and so I just want to know:

1. if this is a vaccine reaction or if I should do a lot more tests? It sounds like the cats belonging to people in this thread with vaccine reactions took the same vaccine.
2. Should I go ahead with the abdominal ultrasound? The vet says this will look for abnormalities in the liver such as possible infection, or tumor but I doubt it's a tumor as he just did several X-rays and ultrasounds when he had the foreign body surgery.
3. Should I do other tests? We already did a pancreatitis test and it came back normal, waiting for the results for the FIV/FELV test.
3. Would the vaccine reaction make him nauseous (lip-smacking)?
4. How long more would it need for the fever to go down?? He is to be warded for three days, so he would maybe be discharged on day 9 after the onset of symptoms.

I just want him to be okay, it is heartbreaking to see him like this. It has been 6 days since the onset of symptoms. Please, I would really appreciate some answers.

 

[fionasmom]

Elvisrocks jstie Ktgpenny

These members have advised on a similar situation recently and might be able to advise you in more detail.

The whole arena of vaccine reaction is fraught with a lot of unknowns and guesswork, unfortunately. Your boy certainly did have a quick reaction to the vaccine, if that is what this is. That does make me wonder if this could be just that. Did you discuss the adverse reaction report that can be filed with Zoetis? I have never filed one, but would ask if that might apply and how to complete it. In the case of the other member, the vet facilitated it for her.

Did the previous ultrasound image the liver specifically? You mentioned that your cat had a previous foreign body removal recently; if the liver were imaged on the US, ask the vet if there is good reason to think that something developed this quickly.

Your vet has probably suspended the pred because it seemed not to be working and is not really desirable in cases where it is not needed.

Do you have any option of taking your cat to a specialist, such as an internist, or to a cat only specialist? Your vet can contact local sources like universities in order to get their expertise. Sometimes this saves money as specialists can diagnose more quickly and get to a treatment plan.

This is what I think your vet is assuming. A mild vaccine reaction will include lethargy, low fever, reduced appetite. Usually pred, and NSAID or an antihistamine clears it up quickly. Severe reactions happen more quickly after the vaccine and can include vomiting and diarrhea along with some other symptoms. That is when you hospitalize and start IV fluids, etc. However, in your case, you still have no answer to what is happening.

I would have said to do the pancreatitis test, but you already did that. Lip smacking is often nausea and pancreatitis is one reason for that. Ask your vet very specifically why he has ruled out the vaccine reaction ( I know he gave you a reason) and why he suspects the liver (gave you a reason for that as well) but you don't want to have to do shot in the dark diagnosis either.

I had a cat react to the old Leukocell vaccine years ago and never gave it again; my only personal experience in this area. My opinion, which is only that, as we can't diagnose here on TCS, is that your vet did listen to your concerns about a reaction, which many do not, and tried to treat for it, but the treatment did not work. To me, this goes both ways, unfortunately. Vaccine reaction which is still not resolved versus a coincidental occurrence of another condition at the same time.

 

[mgoonie]

Elvisrocks jstie Ktgpenny

These members who have posted or started the thread are recently active and might be able to advise you in more detail.

The whole arena of vaccine reaction is fraught with a lot of unknowns and guesswork, unfortunately. Your boy certainly did have a quick reaction to the vaccine, if that is what this is. That does make me wonder if this could be just that. Did you discuss the adverse reaction report that can be filed with Zoetis? I have never filed one, but would ask if that might apply and how to complete it. In the case of the other member, the vet facilitated it for her.

Did the previous ultrasound image the liver specifically? You mentioned that your cat had a previous foreign body removal recently; if the liver were imaged on the US, ask the vet if there is good reason to think that something developed this quickly.

Your vet has probably suspended the pred because it seemed not to be working and is not really desirable in cases where it is not needed.

Do you have any option of taking your cat to a specialist, such as an internist, or to a cat only specialist? Your vet can contact local sources like universities in order to get their expertise. Sometimes this saves money as specialists can diagnose more quickly and get to a treatment plan.

This is what I think your vet is assuming. A mild vaccine reaction will include lethargy, low fever, reduced appetite. Usually pred, and NSAID or an antihistamine clears it up quickly. Severe reactions happen more quickly after the vaccine and can include vomiting and diarrhea along with some other symptoms. That is when you hospitalize and start IV fluids, etc. However, in your case, you still have no answer to what is happening.

I would have said to do the pancreatitis test, but you already did that. Lip smacking is often nausea and pancreatitis is one reason for that. Ask your vet very specifically why he has ruled out the vaccine reaction ( I know he gave you a reason) and why he suspects the liver (gave you a reason for that as well) but you don't want to have to do shot in the dark diagnosis either.

I had a cat react to the old Leukocell vaccine years ago and never gave it again; my only personal experience in this area. My opinion, which is only that, as we can't diagnose here on TCS, is that your vet did listen to your concerns about a reaction, which many do not, and tried to treat for it, but the treatment did not work. To me, this goes both ways, unfortunately. Vaccine reaction which is still not resolved versus a coincidental occurrence of another condition at the same time.

Hi, thank you so much for your response, I really appreciate it.

Some updates, we did a FIV/FeLV test and he tested positive for FeLV. So the vet now suspects there is a secondary infection somewhere in his body. They did a quick ultrasound and saw that his pancreas and liver seem to be inflamed. They suspect something is wrong with the liver due to the blood test values being slightly higher, and when they drew his blood and decanted it, there seemed to be yellowish liquid?

The vet started saying it could be a liver growth or even another foreign body and recommended a full abdominal ultrasound. But I don't know as he hasn't vomited yet. Also, when explaining FeLV to me, she did mention they are prone to lymphoma which is freaking me out now as the Xrays he did a few months back seemed to have an enlarged unidentifiable ball, which one vet said may be a swollen lymph node.

The vet clinic I visited has surgeon specialists, and they seem to be quite reputable in diagnosing serious issues so I'm hoping their advice will be valuable. I really don't know what to do next, he still isn't eating in the clinic and his fever seems to be so persistent, still at 40 degrees celsius, only coming down to 39.5 degrees with a lot of ice packs.

Should I go ahead with the full abdominal ultrasound for now? Will that just show enlarged organs and is that caused by the inflammation? Would the vaccine cause this...? What should I do next..?

I'm sorry if I am rambling, I am just so upset and frustrated and trying not to hope for the worst. I know this isn't the thread to ask about FeLV-positive cats too but I really thought it was a vaccine reaction so I tried here first. And I read that a worsening deterioration of FeLV cats is that they have recurrent secondary infections, which he did have another two ear infections earlier this year after the foreign body removal. I don't know if my vet is simply throwing out any and every possibility and maybe I am having prejudice but she is quite a new vet with 2 years of experience.

 

[fionasmom]

I am sorry that things just go more complicated. Your vets sound competent and you have access to specialists, so that is a plus. I would try to talk to the doctor about the purpose of each test they want to do. What will it show possibly, what would the next step be depending on what is seen, what would give you the most information for the money. I know that you want to help your cat, but there is no shame in asking what will be most useful. I drew the line a few years ago with both of my vets, cat and dog, about any test that is only academic, meaning that nothing would be done about whatever was found. This reasoning may or may not work here for you, but don't hesitate to ask for information up front. Ask exactly what will be shown on the US, would there be another US after this one, etc.

To me, it does not sound as if your vet is throwing out crazy options; they don't know what they haven't diagnosed, but I think that he is following a thread here in his investigation, as upsetting as this is.

I would probably do the US. However, I am not trying to spend your money and I think that you should ask for a projection of where this might go with prognosis, tests, etc.

Again, not a vet, but now I am wondering if there was something concurrent with the FeLV for instance.

Please let us know what you do.

 

[cataholic07]

My first cat had GI Lymphoma. An ultrasound showed thickened intestines and we opted to do a surgical biopsy. I would get an ultrasound done for sure.

 

[tortiesandtabbies]

My

Hi, thank you so much for your response, I really appreciate it.

Some updates, we did a FIV/FeLV test and he tested positive for FeLV. So the vet now suspects there is a secondary infection somewhere in his body. They did a quick ultrasound and saw that his pancreas and liver seem to be inflamed. They suspect something is wrong with the liver due to the blood test values being slightly higher, and when they drew his blood and decanted it, there seemed to be yellowish liquid?

The vet started saying it could be a liver growth or even another foreign body and recommended a full abdominal ultrasound. But I don't know as he hasn't vomited yet. Also, when explaining FeLV to me, she did mention they are prone to lymphoma which is freaking me out now as the Xrays he did a few months back seemed to have an enlarged unidentifiable ball, which one vet said may be a swollen lymph node.

The vet clinic I visited has surgeon specialists, and they seem to be quite reputable in diagnosing serious issues so I'm hoping their advice will be valuable. I really don't know what to do next, he still isn't eating in the clinic and his fever seems to be so persistent, still at 40 degrees celsius, only coming down to 39.5 degrees with a lot of ice packs.

Should I go ahead with the full abdominal ultrasound for now? Will that just show enlarged organs and is that caused by the inflammation? Would the vaccine cause this...? What should I do next..?

I'm sorry if I am rambling, I am just so upset and frustrated and trying not to hope for the worst. I know this isn't the thread to ask about FeLV-positive cats too but I really thought it was a vaccine reaction so I tried here first. And I read that a worsening deterioration of FeLV cats is that they have recurrent secondary infections, which he did have another two ear infections earlier this year after the foreign body removal. I don't know if my vet is simply throwing out any and every possibility and maybe I am having prejudice but she is quite a new vet with 2 years of experience.

My 11-month-old Tabby had been warded for about 4 days and ate minimally at the clinic as well. Similar situation, his fever hovered on the higher range and didn't break. He had a bad lung infection in October which cleared after 3 weeks. Then on and off fever early January and onwards on top of an ear infection that cleared quickly in February.

I understand where you're coming from about the diagnosis and various possibilities. It felt like I'm thrown into a new direction every time I had to get him to a vet checkup. Was the FeLV test the antigen or PCR?

And I agree with fionasmom about asking all the questions before deciding. Sending you and your kitty lots of hugs.

 

[mgoonie]

My


My 11-month-old Tabby had been warded for about 4 days and ate minimally at the clinic as well. Similar situation, his fever hovered on the higher range and didn't break. He had a bad lung infection in October which cleared after 3 weeks. Then on and off fever early January and onwards on top of an ear infection that cleared quickly in February.

I understand where you're coming from about the diagnosis and various possibilities. It felt like I'm thrown into a new direction every time I had to get him to a vet checkup. Was the FeLV test the antigen or PCR?

And I agree with fionasmom about asking all the questions before deciding. Sending you and your kitty lots of hugs.

Thank you for your replies, my cat has just been discharged after the ultrasound and another night of stay. They didn't find anything else for now but they think he has an inflamed pancreas and liver. But they still don't know the reason without further testing, they think it is a bacterial infection although his white blood cell count was normal previously... I wonder if it's a vaccine reaction as I read that inflammation could be due to an immune response or a bacterial infection. After his four-day stay, he also seems to have a lower-than-normal red blood cell count now and is slightly anemic, which they said is a little worrying.

He still has a fever, around 39.5 degrees Celsius, so I'm giving him subcutaneous fluids at home for five days starting today. The vet gave me four different antibiotics, a liver protectant, an appetite stimulant, two gut protectants, anti-nausea meds, anti-viral medicine, probiotics, and a dewormer as he seemed to have pooped a worm (they think tapeworm but they said it shouldn't have caused the fever). Today, it is already day 10 from the onset of symptoms, he is eating on his own finally after refusing to eat at the hospital but only wants dry food, not the wet food they prescribed. Still lethargic, but he looks slightly more alert now.

I'm struggling to give him all the medicine as he looks really traumatized, but I will try my best... Although it doesn't seem like the antibiotics have been working while he was warded for the past four days. I'm really, really hoping his fever breaks soon and he recovers...

His FeLV test was the snap test, not a blood one, which I am hoping to pursue soon after this fever breaks. It feels frightening that it is such a persistent fever for ten days already even with being on an IV drip for four days and it seems he has pancreatitis/hepatitis out of nowhere... I just think it is kind of coincidental that this fever shows up a week after the Felocell 4 zoetis vaccination, maybe he already had inflammation of his GI tract and the vaccine made it flare up I'm thinking...

 

[tortiesandtabbies]

Thank you for your replies, my cat has just been discharged after the ultrasound and another night of stay. They didn't find anything else for now but they think he has an inflamed pancreas and liver. But they still don't know the reason without further testing, they think it is a bacterial infection although his white blood cell count was normal previously... I wonder if it's a vaccine reaction as I read that inflammation could be due to an immune response or a bacterial infection. After his four-day stay, he also seems to have a lower-than-normal red blood cell count now and is slightly anemic, which they said is a little worrying.

He still has a fever, around 39.5 degrees Celsius, so I'm giving him subcutaneous fluids at home for five days starting today. The vet gave me four different antibiotics, a liver protectant, an appetite stimulant, two gut protectants, anti-nausea meds, anti-viral medicine, probiotics, and a dewormer as he seemed to have pooped a worm (they think tapeworm but they said it shouldn't have caused the fever). Today, it is already day 10 from the onset of symptoms, he is eating on his own finally after refusing to eat at the hospital but only wants dry food, not the wet food they prescribed. Still lethargic, but he looks slightly more alert now.

I'm struggling to give him all the medicine as he looks really traumatized, but I will try my best... Although it doesn't seem like the antibiotics have been working while he was warded for the past four days. I'm really, really hoping his fever breaks soon and he recovers...

His FeLV test was the snap test, not a blood one, which I am hoping to pursue soon after this fever breaks. It feels frightening that it is such a persistent fever for ten days already even with being on an IV drip for four days and it seems he has pancreatitis/hepatitis out of nowhere... I just think it is kind of coincidental that this fever shows up a week after the Felocell 4 zoetis vaccination, maybe he already had inflammation of his GI tract and the vaccine made it flare up I'm thinking...

Hope you and your kitty take it easy. That is a lot of medications. My vet and I have been going round in circles for a diagnosis because my Tabby initially tested negative on the SNAP test but positive on PCR about 4 weeks later.

Even went through various possibilities: mycoplasma haemofelis > FIP > FIV until the positive PCR test. I assume the mycoplasma haemofelis is a secondary infection. Some food containing liver might help the anaemia.

Wishing your kitty a speedy recovery and keep us posted!

 

[di and bob]

My cat was given the diagnosis of leukemia after a sickness that sounds just like yours. I have three at home, mother and her offspring, so they told me to assume they all have it, though only the brother has had similar illnesses, which included fevers, being anemic, sleeping a lot, hiding, and refusing to eat. He lost over half his body weight. This lasted for almost two weeks. The vet gave him 'days' to live and said his blood cell count was almost nonexistent. His liver and pancreas were inflamed too, most likely from noneating. I got some Delectable Lickables in the stew flavors because I found it was the ONLY thing he would take even a few licks of and started him on DMG to build up his immune system and LifeGold for cancers. He is still with me almost 3 years later! He has gotten sick one other time in that period but not as severe. I keep them all strictly indoors now and wash my hands very well if I handle any other outside cats' plates or belongings. I also give them their daily medicine (above) in the Delectables and keep the lickable treat around in case he gets sick again. Sometimes if cats are older when they get FeLV, they are able to fight it off. They rebuild their blood cells every 70 days or so if the bone marrow is not affected. I wish you well and I will pray for your little one......

 

[mgoonie]

My cat was given the diagnosis of leukemia after a sickness that sounds just like yours. I have three at home, mother and her offspring, so they told me to assume they all have it, though only the brother has had similar illnesses, which included fevers, being anemic, sleeping a lot, hiding, and refusing to eat. He lost over half his body weight. This lasted for almost two weeks. The vet gave him 'days' to live and said his blood cell count was almost nonexistent. His liver and pancreas were inflamed too, most likely from noneating. I got some Delectable Lickables in the stew flavors because I found it was the ONLY thing he would take even a few licks of and started him on DMG to build up his immune system and LifeGold for cancers. He is still with me almost 3 years later! He has gotten sick one other time in that period but not as severe. I keep them all strictly indoors now and wash my hands very well if I handle any other outside cats' plates or belongings. I also give them their daily medicine (above) in the Delectables and keep the lickable treat around in case he gets sick again. Sometimes if cats are older when they get FeLV, they are able to fight it off. They rebuild their blood cells every 70 days or so if the bone marrow is not affected. I wish you well and I will pray for your little one......

Hi! The situation for our cats sounds really similar, can I ask was he also given antibiotics and liver supplements? I'm already on day 12 today since the symptoms started but the fever is still there and barely budged during his hospital stay with IV drips, so I'm not sure if all the antibiotics are working as it doesn't really feel like it's on track for recovery which really worries me...

 

[tortiesandtabbies]

Hi! The situation for our cats sounds really similar, can I ask was he also given antibiotics and liver supplements? I'm already on day 12 today since the symptoms started but the fever is still there and barely budged during his hospital stay with IV drips, so I'm not sure if all the antibiotics are working as it doesn't really feel like it's on track for recovery which really worries me...

Mine was given antibiotics (doxycycline) and strong liver supplements (which help if they have jaundice but mine didn't, liver levels were normal). Are the vets familiar with FeLV? Can they work out a plan and do they have the PCR test at the same clinic you went to? How is his appetite?

 

[di and bob]

My cat's appetite was nonexistent. He lived on a few licks of Delectables a couple of times a day. He hid and was lethargic. After the first diagnosis, which then he had a round of antibiotics and a Prednisone shot, I didn't bring him to the vet the second time he got sick and he recovered in about the same amount of time, 2 weeks. Vet trips just stress all my cats out so much. He had been started on the LifeGold and the DMG, so I continued to put that in the few licks he did manage to take. There are supplements on pet med sites and Amazon that help with fever too. so he's been really sick only once since that first time nearly three years ago, and it wasn't quite as bad, he came out a little more and slept with us. If a cat can fight off the virus once I think they can continue to fight. Remember, their immune system is shot, so wash your hands when you come home and keep him inside. I would definitely offer your cat some Delectable Licakables in the stew flavors and see if he will eat. And get that DMG!